A piano that's aging quickly

[David Ilvedson]

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It seems like some older pianos had indestructible key bushings=
 where as now days the bushing cloth wears out quickly.   I've=
 had to rebush every few years many times...or at least I should=
 have...;-]

David I.






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Received: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 01:03:12 EST
Subject: A piano that's aging quickly


Liszters, 
 
About a year and a half ago, I got a call from some people who=
 were deperate for a string replacement on their piano.  I set a=
 date to come out and do the job, as well as tune it.  They've=
 been regular clients ever since.  
 
The piano in question is a Kawai RX-3, around 4 years old.  The=
 teenage boy who plays it is a multi-competition winner, a very=
 powerful player.  At the last appointment in November, I told=
 them that since they aren't financially well off, I'd give them=
 a good price for several hours of much-needed maintenance. =
 Prior to calling me, they'd had a tuner who made his real living=
 as a teacher, and thus had 0 skills with other facets of piano=
 technology(and precious few skills as a tooner).  So the piano=
 had been a bit neglected.
 
Today I spent 4 hours at the house doing some regulation,=
 lubrication, and tuning.  When I arrived, just about every part=
 that could squeak did.  Several of the damper underlever leads=
 had been knocked loose(an ongoing problem here) and were=
 clacking.  What amazed me was the amount of wear in the key=
 bushings.  I've seen less play in pianos 50 years older!  
 
This 16 year old kid has put a lifetime of wear on a piano by=
 playing it the way he plays it for 2 hours a day every day of=
 the year.  And he's going to Rice next year to major in=
 Bio-engineering...some people have all the brains and talent!
 
I don't have that much experience with people who play this often=
 with this much power.  Is it normal to wear out key bushings in=
 less than 5 years?
 
Just wondering,
 
Dave Stahl
 
 


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